Why is the Rum Gone?

We love to create delicious vanilla extract with rum. We were often running out of vanilla with as many ways as we use it. Once we learned to make it though, our cup runneth over! It makes several batches, as you continuously reuse the vanilla pods to extract their full potential.

This recipe was passed to me through a dear childhood friend, Lisa. We were in each other's weddings, have watched our kids grow and begin to leave the nest.

We've been buds since 9th grade, ever since I was suppose to go to her house for a sleepover, but the bus driver refused to let me board!

Growing up she was always cooking up yummy goodies in the kitchen. The vanilla recipe she shared has been one of the most rewarding, especially as cost in stores has become ridiculous. 4oz at 20$?

You can create quadruple this amount with gourmet quality by doing it yourself. Fast forward to the holidays...you'll have the most flavorful, pure vanilla extract to work with. It makes great gifts, not to mention sipping a bit in joyous libation!

Here's the recipe. You will need 80 proof alcohol, which is a sterilizing agent, preserving and drawing the flavor molecules out. You will need vanilla beans. I placed slits on mine and placed everything in an air-tight glass jar, like a mason jar.

Last, you'll need patience, but after the first jar, you can make it in constant rotation, We recently created a fun variation by using banana rum (think bananas foster or banana cream pie).

I was happy to see Mary of Mary's Nest has an exhaustive tutorial to create all kinds of DIY extracts in a similar method. You name it, she covers it: lemon, orange, almond, chocolate and more...SWOON!

Vanilla has some interesting health properties. The favorite being it may help humans cut back on added sugar intake. That's the reason we strive to make from scratch more than before-less salt, less sugar and more flavor.

Here are some other ways to enjoy using vanilla extract:

• Oatmeal/Cereal Grains

• Granola

• Crafted Coffee & mixed drinks

• Yogurt/coconut Yogurt

• Canned fruits and fillings

• Canned juice blends

• Muffins, cookies, pies, cakes, cobblers, etc.

• Sweet & Savory Sauces

• Custards, puddings, candies and chocolates

• Natural fragrance in homemade soaps and cosmetics

What did I miss? How do you enjoy vanilla extract?